Posted on 01/28/2006 6:43:45 AM PST by Liz
**** I thought school was where we were supposed to learn English. Joseph DePascale Brooklyn
**** I can't believe the dumb moves the Department of Education is making in the name of political correctness....... If you want your children to speak nothing but Spanish and whine that you can't get a job because you can't speak English, I have no sympathy for you. If I were to move to Mexico, you can bet the first thing I would learn would be the language and not expect Mexicans to speak English. Thomas Latina Winsted, Conn.
**** Talk about wasting taxpayer money. Councilmen David Yassky and Hiram Monserrate have not demonstrated that children whose parents only speak Korean, Russian, Chinese, Arabic or some other foreign language are failing at school because of a document-translation deficiency......The city is wasting money so politicians can make a name for themselves, albeit negatively...... Elio Valenti Brooklyn
**** As a bilingual social worker in a NYC public school, I protest the City Council's plan to translate school-related documents..... The schools already translate many documents for parents. In addition, a bilingual staff is available to help parents.....non-English-speaking parents are able to get jobs, apply for welfare, make airline reservations and obtain apartments, they are clearly able to function in NY City. Kate Kane Centerport
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Correct about the second statement, but on the first--maybe accurate and not so accurate. A lot of times when Americans go to other places, we expect to find someoen who can speak English.
I never have like bi-lingual education much. It is something to note that younger kids often do pick up the language pretty quickly and that often second generation immigrants (not commenting about illegals here) often are acculturated.
Most non-English parents want their children to be taught and immersed in English.
Many teachers feel the same way too.
Amen.
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Last week I purchased a burger and fries at McDonalds for $3.58.
The counter girl took my $4.00 and I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies. While looking at the screen on her register, I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried.
Why do I tell you this?
Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:
Teaching Math In 1950:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1960:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1970:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
Teaching Math In 1980:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20 Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
Teaching Math In 1990:
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did ! the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)
Teaching Math In 2005:
Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?
Ah! Cancun. Vacationing in Mexico is truly a treat. But those who want to work in the tourist industry must speak more than one language, if they expect tourists to come. The entire Yucatan peninsula has only one major industry....tourism. The people there are gracious, grateful to have tourists there, and welcoming. I also recommend highly Los Cabos. Another wonderful place to visit. Fishing is king there.
Man that's a great quote. I'm gonna rummage around and see if I can find a sepia picture of the Statue of Liberty or an Italian neighborhood circa 1920 or something like that and make a little poster for myself.
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